Ken Rosenthal reports that Xavier Nady and Nick Swisher are “drawing significant interest.” Joe will have more on this for the overnight tonight, but to sum up my thinking, the Yanks don’t really need to trade anyone right now. Unless they are blown away by an offer, they are far better off holding Swisher and Nady than they are trading them right now.

In the same piece, Rosenthal drops in a tidbit about Brian Fuentes. Apparently, Fuentes’ agent tried to pitch the closer to the Yanks as a possible set-up man and future heir to Mariano Rivera‘s throne. The Yanks weren’t interested in paying Fuentes closer money and never made an offer. While some folks in the Mark Teixeira press conference liveblog believed that this news shows that the Yanks are nervous about the 8th inning, I completely disagree. They weren’t keen on bringing in Fuentes, and it seems as though the closer’s agent just wanted the Yankees in on the negotiations. Nothing to see there really.

Anyway, use this as your open thread for the night. Anything goes. Just play nice.

Update by Mike (7:04pm): The Yanks signed outfielder John Rodriguez to a minor league deal. The Bombers originally signed J-Rod as an international free agent back undrafted free agent out of an NY area high school back in ’96 for $1,000. He has a 110 OPS+ in 332 big league at-bats, which came for the Cardinals back in ’05 & ’06.

YES! great move cashman, this is just a follow up to the carl pavano signning he had to show up the indiasn

http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

Lol @ Fuentes. Dude’s a walking elbow injury.

Mike Pop

I cant believe Scoscia? signed a deal till 2018.. Ridiculous

http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

Bad deal for him? Or the Angels?

Mike Pop

I dont necessarily think its a bad deal for either of them. I just cant believe they would give him that many years. But it obviously could not be a bad deal for him, the more gauranteed money, the better.

http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

True.

They’ve obviously got a shot at that division–my high school team does–but I think if the A’s sign Giambi, they’ll squeak out with the title.

Where does everyone think the WC is coming from this year? I’m saying AL East again.

Mike Pop

We gotta go with the Yanks !

http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

Well, I’m aiming for a division title. I think Tampa or Boston will grab the WC, with the odd team out probably having a better record than the West or Central winner.

Mike Pop

Oops, I misunderstood. Thought WC was World Champion. But ya the wild card I think will be Boston with the Twins and Angels at the other two playoff spots.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

That’s freaking nuts. They can’t fire him now. You just can’t do it with that much time and that much money left on his deal.

Mike Pop

Unless they have some kind of clause where they can get out of it if he does not reach a certain level of success or some other stuff. He is a good manager and all but giving him that many years is just crazy. Maybe there is somethign in the contract though where it won’t look so crazy. His teams kill us though. Arg!

Jake H

When I saw that I was shocked. Is that the longest extension for a manager?

Um, actually, I don’t think it is a bad arguement to say that he is one of the best managers in the league; therefore, the stupid lower case upper case (which is getting more annoying by the day, especially now that dollar signs are part of it) may not be unwarranted, lol.

(No personal to you Matt- Just think the whole impersonating “stupid” fans is getting old and is just really, REALLY not funny anymore, especially since most people don’t act stupid on this site)

usty

haha, but he does nail the stupid ones perfectly when they do show up.

Mike Pop

Its funny how Red Sox fans will say we bought our championship by spending all this money if we win one. But they spent from what I have seen 209 million over the 2006 offseason to bring in Daisuke, Drew, and Lugo. Then they won a championship but really both Drew and Lugo were shit until Drew did well in the playoffs and Dice-K was good but not amazing. So we spent 34 million more than them and got 3 much better players, no? Why wasn’t such a big deal made back then when it happened? Was it because they were not the 3 “top” free agents. Im saying 209 million is a good amount of money and I feel like a big deal was not made about this.

RichYF aka sooooo tired of the “namedrop says hello” meme

180+82.5+161 != 209+34

Mike Pop

Im saying 209 million is a good amount of money and I feel like a big deal was not made about this that.

Fixed

RichYF aka sooooo tired of the “namedrop says hello” meme

I was mostly replying to the “34 million more than them”

But yes, your point is definitely valid. And I agree.

My take on it is that the total figure was only marginally evaluated then and the sportswriters pulled a “oh man we missed an opportunity to rant about $209 million” and made sure not to miss that opportunity when the Yanks did it. That make sense?

http://asportsaddictneedsdivineintervention.blogspot.com/ E-ROC

Welcome back J-Rod!

Raul

Fuentes what a joke. Rodriguez is intriguing. Hmm. Lets take a flier on Mark Prior too

In ’08, Wily Tavares is ranked higher than Grady Sizemore and Carlos Beltran.

http://26ncounting.blogspot.com VO

in 08 hughes is rated higher then wang, joba, mussina and pettite

http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

I still like it.

I’m four years deep into a road to the show. I won the CY as a pitcher my first year in the bigs despite not qualifying for the league lead in ERA.

http://26ncounting.blogspot.com VO

yea i mean i still love tht game, ive only been to the hall of fame twice, both as a starting pitcher i played until they force retired me at 45 only downside :/ they should let you play till whatever age you wamt

http://26ncounting.blogspot.com VO

but then again maybe they want to “protect my legacy”

http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

Haha, I’m still only 21 in the game so I’ve got a while to go.

I get bored of the position player version fast, though. I’ve got one going now, just got bumped up to AAA, but it’s just so tedious.

http://26ncounting.blogspot.com VO

yea they should change the trainning points though exspecially for hitters, to how well you do, a

I’m from Baltimore City, Md. Before the city got a team, I was a San Francisco 49er fan and I hated the Cowboys too. I don’t hate the Cowboys anymore though. I hate the Stealers Steelers now. Hate is a strong word. How about a strong dislike for that team.

Mike Pop

Lol, ya we were big rivals. I also hate the Steelers big time. They got 5 rings like the Cowboys so I really hope they dont win another one this year or before Romo(going to get crushed for this statement) brings another one to Dallas. Also one of my good friends is a big Steeler fan and I just cant stand them when he talks about them.

http://asportsaddictneedsdivineintervention.blogspot.com/ E-ROC

Romo and Cowboys will certainly have their opportunities win a SB as that team is really stacked. I just worry about the coaching.

Ya man its been a rough road, I want Rex Ryan or Shanahan for HC. The only problem with Shanahan is his run game is totally different from what we have right now with the O-Line so he could probably adjust but it would be a different system. Rex Ryan would be awesome for us but I think he might end up with your Jets.

I’m talking about girls with actual talent. Playing in the WNBA takes talent (sort of). Being on a reality show with Flavor Flav takes nothing other than a complete lack of self-respect and moral compass.

Candace Parker is fine for a WNBA player. Compared to your average chic, she’s “eh…” at best.

Ivan

I disagree, she’s above average. Very pretty face.

The Evil Empire

We lose Matsui, Damon, and Nady in 2010. There goes our outfield, should we let them all walk away and pick up Holliday, and trade for Ichiro? I forgot where i heard it, but i’ve hears that the Mariners are considering shopping him.

We lose Matsui, Damon, and Nady in 2010. There goes our outfield, should we let them all walk away and pick up Holliday, and trade for Ichiro? I forgot where i heard it, but i’ve hears that the Mariners are considering shopping him.

I’ve thought about that OF before, that means Jeter is leading off in 2010?

‘The’ Steve

. . . and playing LF, I hope.

As much as I’d like to have Holliday (or at least I THINK I would, lets see how he fares in OAK this year) I can’t see grandpa staying at SS until he feels like retiring. SS is THE premium defensive position in baseball, and he sucks at it and has for years. I hope the Yanks look to move him to LF after 2009.

Nah. If they pass on Bay and go whole hog after Holliday, I’m fine with that. With ARod, Tex, Cano, Jeter, Swisher and Posada + AJax and Montero on the way, Holliday would be a luxury and not a necessity. I’d be fine waiting for sloppy seconds (Ankiel, Bay, etc.) just to have a slightly-above-average player, or re-upping with Damon short-term.

I think us getting Tex and keeping him away from Boston this year makes us doing the same thing next year less necessary.

Jay CT

I think there is way too much pressure on AJax. Lets let the kid hit in AAA before saying we don’t need a bat like Matt Holiday, and that he is just a luxary.

The reason he’s valuable is that he can probably manage a league average or slightly better bat, while providing superior defense. A true centerfielder.

‘The’ Steve

I think Bay is a Boras client, so forget about anyone locking him up.

http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

Nah, Ichiro isn’t worth the trade. And we’ll have to see how Holliday does in the AL before offering a big contract.

If Damon does alright (and Holliday doesn’t), I wouldn’t be too upset bringing him back on a two year deal, with Jackson in center (hopefully) and Swisher in right.

It will be interesting to see (if they keep him) if the Yankees offer Nady–along with Damon–arbitration what with the corner outfield market this year.

27 this year

probably they will simply because they are cheaper. Damon will play decent enough to make 13-15 mil not the worst. Nady would not 10 unless he has like ridiculous numbers so there isn’t as much risk as say Abreu at 16-18 or Giambi at 21 or Pudge at 13 and so on. The risk is less and both should be Type As barring injury.

http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

There’s no way Damon will get 13-15 after this year, unless he hits like he did in 2000.

If Xavier Nady gets $10M, Pat Burrell will be PISSED.

Jay CT

Except Nady can play defense, whereas Burrell cannot.

whozat

Trading for Ichiro is a terrible idea. He’s aging and his game is predicated on speed, and he’s still signed for a while. He’s also kind of the face of their franchise, so if you think he’s coming cheap, you’re nuts.

If Holliday does well, he’s going to cost as much as Tex. I’m not sure it’s worth it. If they keep Swish, and Jackson is ready…then they only need one bat, and I figure they’d want to look to the trade market.

It’s kind of pointless to try to project; we have no idea who’ll be available for what cost.

Mike Pop

I dont think he will cost as much as Teix but he will cost ttoo much. I would hope he goes back to the NL but I cant think of a fit.

http://asportsaddictneedsdivineintervention.blogspot.com/ E-ROC

I don’t think Ichiro will ever be in a Yankee uniform unless the M’s asking price drops and they pay a bunch of money left on his contract. Probably ain’t happening.

I’m still holding out hope that the Yanks trade for Jeremy Hermida.

http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

I’m cooling big time on Hermida. He can’t seem to stay healthy, his power is up and down, and it looks like his patience is, too. His fielding seems rather “meh” as well.

The Yankees have signed free-agent infielder Angel Berroa to a minor-league contract, according to major-league sources.

Berroa, 30, is expected to compete with Cody Ransom for the utility infielder job.
Berroa began last season with the Royals, but was traded to the Dodgers in June, where he filled in for the injured Rafael Furcal.

Jayson Stark says all the Manny to the Giants rumors (as well as all the anybody to the Giants rumors) are totall bullcrap and always have been. Says they can’t even afford Joe Crede right now. Payroll’s currently at 85M and that’s already way higher than they want.

MLB Network is pissing me off. Joe Magrane said he would replace Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo with Jon Garland and Randy Wolf. Really, dude? What the fuck? I don’t care about the Arroyo bit, but Harang, really? I know he had a well-below average year, but that seems to be the outlier based on his career and the last three seasons.

I could also do without his political slant on just about every topic he covers. As a Historian, could you just give me all the facts and let me make up my own mind, instead of spoon feeding me your agenda?

Mike Pop

Anyone play the DC/Mortal Kombat game? Its an awesome game, if you have’nt checked it out, I suggest you try it out.

Brooklyn Ed

I was thinking about renting it on Gamefly, I heard that it doesn’t have much bone crushing gore like the old days right?

Mike Pop

Eh, I would not say as much but I thought it was a great game when I played it.

bicsharpie

I’m a genius.
That being said, lets trade nady, ipk, and aceves for homer bailey.

I’m not TO, I just have a massive baseball intellect.
With that being said, I think that we need a Texan with a bad attitude to counteract the crap headedness of Josh Beckett.

http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

Way too much for a guy who’s stock is down. Nady and someone else, sure. But not three guys.

bicsharpie

Are you karate? IPK will not cut it in the AL, Nady is a spare part, and Aceves won’t make it before Hugues and others. Bailey can do some awesome dancing with his feet, fastball, and hammer curve. I say do the machine.

http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

I don’t like Nady but he’s far from a spare part. He’s an NL starter for sure. I’m gonna give IPK more than sixty innings beofre I totally write him off and the same goes for Aceves, who could prove valuable in the rotation or somewhere else.

Mike Pop

Haha

steve (different one)

i love how we’ve given up on Kennedy, but the proposed trade is for Homer Bailey.

hilarious.

bicsharpie

I would eat a sandwich with bailey before i would go for thai food with ipk.

‘The’ Steve

WTF does that even mean?

bicsharpie

It’s a metaphor.
subway is close to my house but I would have to get on a bus to eat thai food. See?

shouldn’t it be the other way around anyway? because i would rather eat somewhere close with just about anyone than travel…

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

I too found that hyterical. How come fans are willing to be more patient with other team’s prospects then they are the the Yanks’?

‘The’ Steve

Especially Bailey, who looks like a total bust at this point. At least IPK has continued to dominate AAA after struggling here and being sent down. Bailey wet the bed in AAA in 08, and was hideous in his 2nd call up.

Grass is always greener, I guess.

bicsharpie

I am declaring right now that Bailey will have a better mlb career than ipk. My baseball brain is too handsome to be wrong. And to assuage any doubt, let me just tell you that I was the home run champ of my little league.

All handsome aside, I think a trade of ipk and nady for bailey would be great. I know that bailey’s stock has fallen due to attitude and bad splits, but I really do feel that he was afraid of flaming out like wood and prior. give him and the others a new ham and let’s see what’s what.

Nady alone is way too much. Bailey’s rise was based largely on the lights out 2006 half season performance he had in AA. If you exclude that, the rest of his stats are a mixed bag. SO rates are good but his 4/9 IP BB rate in the minors and 5/9 IP in the majors suggest that he has control problems, which is often not fixable. H/9 IP have been rising steadily as well. He looks like a project to me.

Am I the only who thinks “the Catch” is overrated? In my opinion, Gary Matthews Jr.’s catch in Texas, Carlos Beltran’s catch up the hill in Houston and any number of diving catches by Jim Edmonds all top it. Is it a generational thing?

bicsharpie

Yes you are. My feet could make a butt baby and eat some cheese before I’d think that the Matthews catch was anything other than luck. karate.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

“The Catch” was outstanding, but there are a ton of others every bit as good. It’s fitting that the best defensive play in team history came in a game they lost to end their season.

If you consider that porn, then you need to skip church once in a while.

Mike Pop

Ha

‘The’ Steve

Damn, she must have got some nasty splinters making that video.

A.D.

She can really handle the pole…. to obvious?

b/c

With leather got in a mad fight a year or so ago over that pic. good times!

Ryan S.

How the hell are Amanda Beard and Gretchen Bleiler ranked #3 and #2? At a glance, Natalie Gulbis is the one that catches my eye the most.

A.D.

Love that LPGA…though apparently she’s not the best golfer

‘The’ Steve

. . . and yet surprisingly she constantly gets offers from the other lady pro golfers for private lessons to help her work on her game. Go figure.

Ken O’C

I watched Tex’s press conference on Yes and I am very impressed with his guy. He’s smart, confident, driven, and he seemed very proud to join the Yankees. I think he is the heir apparent to Derek Jeter and he will be the next Yankee captain after Jeter is gone.

So the facts are that sheets goes down with an injury in late september – every single media article including those throughout free agency that discus sheets talk about his torn flexor muscle and laundry list of injuries. The brewers who know everything there is to know about sheets offer arbitration to him which would cost them 14 million and sheets declines thinking his medical reports are good enough to land him a better deal than that in a slow market. Sheets receives almost no interest from most teams. The brewers and yankees express interest in sheets. The yanks seemingly dissapear from the table one has to assume it is due to pettitte’s potential signing as well as the signings of AJ and CC which would fill the rotation. The brewers maintain interest in sheets still wanting to re-sign him. Buster Olney comes out with an article on january fourth that says his shoulder and not his torn flexor is the cause for concern. The brewers continue to express interest in re-signing sheets.

To me, there are many reasons that these facts imply that sheets injury is not that serious – the brewers offer of arbitration without a guarantee that he will decline knowing everything there is to know about his medical record. Sheets declines believing his medical records are good enough and his current status is healthy enough to land him a deal better than 14 million. The brewers express interest in re-signing him while continuing to know all of sheets current and former injuries. Not a single reporter from september until january report that sheet’s shoulder is a cause for concern followed by olney’s article in early january. Even with olney’s article the brewers continue to remain interested in re-signing sheets. Also, at one point, multiple reports came out saying that the yanks were interested in signing sheets for two years and 30 mil or around that range and dissappear as the pettitte talks heat up which implies that the yanks either didnt think his medical history was all that alarming or later changed their minds and believed he was too risky with the decision having nothing to do with pettitte.

All in all, i think the yanks could still have some interest in sheets and with the brewers as our only competition and the brewers basically in rebuilding mode, i dont think it takes very much to sign sheets. As i said before, maybe 8 mil guaranteed for one year plus incentives leading all the way up to 15 mil and a team or vesting option for the second year if he lives up to expectations. I dont care what other teams think or the ridiculous rumors floating around – all i care about is that the brewers remain interested and the yanks were preparing an offer after looking at his records. This tells me that his current status and medical records arent so alarming as every one appears to think although there im sure there are some red flags and he is still healing from that flexor muscle injury in his forearm which takes a while to heal.

http://26ncounting.blogspot.com VO

well if anyone looks in the backround in tht pic, it says hes nubmer 25 to answer a lot of questions

Mike Pop

Man, Knicks fucked up not taking Eric Gordon.

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The Gleyber Torres Watch

Gleyber's season is over. He suffered a torn left (non-throwing) elbow ligament on a play at the plate on June 17th and had Tommy John surgery on June 21st. He is expected to be ready in time for Spring Training 2018. The Prospect Watch Curse strikes again!